Q. 1. What is the meaning of the word "Martyrologies?"

A. 1. "Martyrologies" are lists of martyrs from certain cities or countries. They are catalogues of martyred saints arranged according to the occurrence of their feast days in the liturgical calendar.

Martyrologies find their origin in the early Middle Ages. They are important as sources of Church history. In some religious communities, the martyrology is read daily in the refectory. The Roman Martyrology, a catalogue of saints honored by the Church, written around the mid-sixteenth century, has been often revised and re-edited.

At present, the catalogue of saints has a total listing and short account of about six thousand saints and blesseds who are honored by the Catholic Church.